种子
The English word 'seeds' is translated into Chinese as 种子.
种子 is used to refer to seeds.
What does it mean word for word?
The character 种 can mean both 'seed' and the verb 'to plant' or 'to sow'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
The term 種子 is the traditional Chinese character version of 种子, used primarily in Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.
How does it change in a sentence?
种子 is a noun that does not change its form to indicate plurality. The context determines if it refers to one seed or multiple seeds.
Did you know?
- The word 种 can be part of the phrase 种族, which means 'race' or 'ethnic group', linking the concept of 'seeds' to lineage and descent.
- In modern internet slang, 种子 is used to refer to a 'torrent seed' file used for downloading large amounts of data.
- While 种子 means 'seeds', the phrase 种瓜得瓜 translates to 'plant a melon and get a melon', serving as a proverb about karma and consequences.
Examples in context
- 我要买些西瓜种子。I want to buy some watermelon seeds.
- 这些种子可以种花。zhè xiē zhǒng zi kě yǐ zhòng huā.These seeds can grow flowers.
- 我们要买一些蔬菜种子。wǒ men yào mǎi yì xiē shū cài zhǒng zi.We need to buy some vegetable seeds.
- 盒子里装满了植物种子。hé zi lǐ zhuāng mǎn le zhí wù zhǒng zi.The box is full of plant seeds.
Example conversation
Wei and Jiayi are preparing to start a small garden.
- 伟 Wei佳怡，你买种子了吗？jiā yí, nǐ mǎi zhǒng zi le ma?Jiayi, did you buy the seeds?
- 佳怡 Jiayi我买了很多向日葵种子。wǒ mǎi le hěn duō xiàng rì kuí zhǒng zi.I bought many sunflower seeds.
- 伟 Wei太好了，我们可以现在种。tài hǎo le, wǒ men kě yǐ xiàn zài zhòng.Great, we can plant them now.
- 佳怡 Jiayi好，我们一起动手吧。hǎo, wǒ men yì qǐ dòng shǒu ba.Okay, let's get to work together.
